On Thursday, August 20th, the American Lung Association and the UCR School of Public Policy will be screening the film “Unbreathable: The Fight For Healthy Air.” 

The short film looks back on the Clean Air Act and its effects and progress in combating air pollution in the U.S. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion on the health and environmental justice impacts of air pollution. Special guests include:

• Cesunica Ivey, PhD, UC, Riverside air quality and environmental justice researcher 
• Karen Jakpor MD, MPH, American Lung Association volunteer and impacted resident
• Jonathan Pruitt, environmental justice program coordinator, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Stockton
• Adrian Martinez, staff attorney, Earthjustice

According to its website, the mission of the American Lung Association is to “save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease,” and they believe “influencing public policy—through legislation and regulation—at all levels of government is key to achieving its mission.”

“We are excited to co-sponsor this event with the American Lung Association and hopefully raise awareness on this very important issue among our public policy students,” said UCR School of Public Policy spokesperson Mark Manalang. 

Paola Loera, a senior public policy major and American Lung Association intern who has assisted with planning the online event, said, “This event is important as it highlights not only the necessity for youth to engage in climate change work, but change the existing systems set in place that allow environmental injustices to occur.”

“In researching these issues, I found that environmental justice is especially important in areas where people of color inhabit, as the politics of the area often favor big business and persist in creating toxic pollutants for its citizens,” she said.

This event is open to the general public. Attendees must register online. Registrants will receive an email in advance of the event with a link to join. 

Since 2014, the UCR School of Public Policy Seminar Series has been bringing policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to campus to talk about various policy issues facing the region and beyond. During the shelter-in-place order for California, all events are being held online. For more information about the series, visit spp.ucr.edu/events.